I like to take you back to nice Belmonte in the province of Cuenca, and in the Castilla La Mancha region of the kingdom of Spain. I have to admit came here for the castle very historical of Spain and France. However, there is a lot more in this quant small town we came to love. I am glad to found me more pictures in my cd rom vault that should be in my blog for you and me, Therefore, let me tell you a bit more on curiosities of Belmonte !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The town of Belmonte is 100 km from Cuenca,152 km from Madrid, and 138 km from our home base in Las Majadas from which we came here along the CM2105 local road towards Villalba de la Sierra, and continue on to Cuenca on the CM2110 road, before entering Cuenca bear right onto the autovia de la Meseta Sur or A40 highway until exit/Salida 270 Horcajada and continue on the CM2102 road crossing over the A3 highway Madrid-Valencia autovia and continue on the CM3120a road to Villarejo de Fuentes and continue on the CU V 3321 road briefly becoming the CM3009 road to connect at Villaescusa de Haro with the N420 highway into City center Belmonte bearing left onto Calle Division Azul which itself becomes Calle de San Bartolomé to the Church San Bartolomé with on street parking, and walk to other sights,
The Ermita de la Virgen de Gracia or Hermitage of the Virgin of Grace is a monument of great interest and well worth a visit when in Belmonte. This hermitage, dedicated to the Virgen Nuestra Señora de Gracia or Our Lady of Grace, patron saint of Belmonte, was originally built in the 13C. Documented evidence shows that the hermitage was rebuilt by the House of Villena and by Juan Fernández Pacheco, to whom King Henry III granted the Lordship of Belmonte in 1398. Its current form dates from the late 16C. The stone façade features a 17C doorway ,above there is a triangular pediment interrupted by a niche containing the image of the patron saint, also carved in stone. Above it is the stone coat of arms of Don Diego López Pacheco, 2nd Marquis of Villena. At the top of the main façade is the double-windowed bell tower, crowned by a small belfry. The Virgin of Grace is a magnificent 42 cm tall Romanesque polychrome wooden carving from the mid-13C. This full-length sculpture depicts Mary seated on a wooden throne with the Child on her left leg, in the act of blessing. The Virgin holds the Child in her left hand, while in her right she displays the orb, a symbol of authority and sovereignty. The patron saint festivities in honor of the Virgin of Grace are celebrated in September, with the procession of the image to visit the Collegiate Church of Belmonte taking place on the second Saturday of the month.
The Post and Telegraph site is a former school of the Society of Jesus and later a county jail. It’s now the city theater; Cine-Teatro Fray Luis de León, The former Jesuit college was founded in 1558 ; the last one personally approved by Ignatius of Loyola. Iñigo López de Oñaz y Loyola, venerated as Saint Ignatius of Loyola, was a Spanish Catholic priest and theologian who, with Peter Faber and Francis Xavier, founded the religious order of the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits), and became the first Superior General of the Society of Jesus in Paris in 1541. He envisioned the purpose of the Society of Jesus as missionary work and teaching. Unlike members of other religious orders in the Church who take vows of chastity, obedience, and poverty, members of the Jesuits, also take a fourth vow of obedience to the Pope, committing themselves to projects directed by the pontiff. The Jesuits played a pivotal role in leading the Counter-Reformation. As a former soldier, Ignatius paid particular attention to the spiritual formation of his recruits and recorded his method in the Spiritual Exercises of 1548. Over time, this method became known as Ignatian spirituality. Ignatius of Loyola was beatified in 1609 and canonized on March 12, 1622. His feast day is celebrated on July 31. He is the patron Saint of the Basque provinces of Gipuzkoa and Biscay, as well as of the Society of Jesus. He was declared the patron saint of all spiritual retreats by Pope Pius XI in 1922.
Other things to see here (other than previous posts on church and castle) are the Palacio del Infante Don Juan Manuel was conceived as a stop on the Don Quixote Trail, a “Venta del Don Quijote” . The location is not insignificant, as Belmonte is the village with the richest heritage in the entire region. The restored 15C palace, which was built on the ruins of what was the first 13C Belmonte Castle, The Palacio del Infante Don Juan Manuel is one of the hidden gems of the Castilla-La Mancha region. This beautiful restored 18C palace has been transformed into a luxurious hotel that blends historic elegance with all modern comforts. The palace was built in 1770 for Infante Don Juan Manuel, son of King Charles III of Spain. Since then, the building has been meticulously restored to maintain its original splendor, with stunning architectural details such as frescoed ceilings and marble floors. It is now a luxury parador hotel since 2014, The San Andrés Hospital was commissioned in 1415 by Don Juan Fernández Pacheco, 1st Lord of Belmonte and grandfather of Don Juan Pacheco, 1st Marquis of Villena, to “cure the poor and house pilgrims.” It had a Gothic church, a central courtyard with columns, and rich wooden coffered ceilings. The 16C entrance gate to the complex is still preserved. The church’s altar and some panels are now in the Collegiate Church of Belmonte. It has been in ruins and abandoned since 1970. Only the walls and some remains of the chapel are preserved.
The City of Belmonte on its heritage : https://descubriendo.es/belmonte/lugares-y-monumentos.html
The official Virgen de Gracia of Belmonte : https://virgendegraciabelmonte.com/
The Castilla La Mancha region tourist office on Belmonte : https://en.www.turismocastillalamancha.es/patrimonio/belmonte-19731/descripcion/
The Spain National Tourist Office on Belmonte : https://www.spain.info/en/destination/belmonte/
There you go folks, Belmonte is nice worth the trip to see these wonderful monuments again and of course the church. Again, hope you enjoy this post on curiosities of Belmonte !!! as i
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
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